Verstappen Racing and teams pay tribute to Juha Miettinen on a somber day

This Sunday, however, began gray, cold, and rainy. Upon arrival, the paddock was quiet, the garages were closed, and there was little going on. Mechanics and engineers stood chatting here and there, some sharing a hug. Sadness and disbelief are still clearly palpable.

Not everyone in the paddock knew the late Juha Miettinen, but the news hit hard. To ‘just’ strap back in on Sunday morning, with rainy and dangerous conditions, felt especially tough for some drivers. The driver lineup of the Scherer Audi was visibly moved.

One of the drivers said he was doing okay after the news, but that he was unsure whether it was the right decision to carry on today. Several in the paddock had expected all sessions to be canceled, GPblog understood. At Keeevin Motorsport, Miettinen’s team, packing up was done quietly.

This Sunday, the cars are running with a tribute to Miettinen. On the #488 BMW of Sorg Rennsport, in which Dutchman Calvin de Groot is among the drivers, a sticker has been placed. The team owner knew Miettinen and the German outfit personally. In that garage, however, they believe it is right to race on Sunday.

A few garages down, at Haupt Racing, Colin Caresani was getting ready to go out on track. The young driver was doing well, reviewing onboard footage from the last time he tackled the Nordschleife in wet conditions. All cars are fitted with a black ribbon, including the #67 and #65 Ford Mustang GT3s and the Verstappen Racing Mercedes.

Following the accident, BMW has spoken out about the loss of BMW driver Miettinen. The Munich brand is deeply saddened. In other disciplines as well, races on this Sunday are being run with a tribute to the late Finn. BMW has affixed a black ribbon to both Robin Frijns’ Hypercar and the GT3 car in the World Endurance Championship.

On Sunday afternoon in the Eifel, a minute of silence will be held before the start of the race, at 13:00. Miettinen was a familiar face on the Nordschleife and beloved by many drivers, teams, journalists, and others at the Nürburgring.